NEWPORT NEWS, V.A. – Longtime Chowan University “Jim Garrison” Sports Hall of Fame member, Ben Rich, lost his earthly battle on Sunday, January 5th, 2025. Rich was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987 after a standout football career during the 1950’s at Chowan. Rich was inducted into the Chowan University “Jim Garrison” Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, the same year as Chowan greats Jim Garrison and Jerry Hawkins. Following his two year stint with the then-Braves, Rich went on to Guilford College where he was a two-year starter and Hustic Award winner.

After graduation from Guilford, the Virginia native went into coaching at the high school level. He was the head football coach at Smithfield, where in seven seasons he tallied a 42-24-3 overall record with one district championship, and was 1963 Peanut District Coach of the Year. An assistant coach at Warwick, head coach at Kecoughtan, and assistant at Hampton, Rich coached in 164 victories, 83 defeats eight ties, eight district championships, and three state championships. A track coach with one state championship and a state runner-up finish, Rich also coached basketball and baseball and was an Athletic Director for eight years.Rich was closely connected to the community through his work in several peninsula school districts, his home church, Temple Baptist Church, in and through the many civic organizations he volunteered with. 

Despite having graduated from Chowan in 1956, Rich remained connected to Chowan University and the athletic department for many years and through many changes.He dutifully served as the Chowan University “Jim Garrison” Sports Hall of Fame Committee Chair for more than 30 years, and assisted in creating standards and bylaws that still govern the Hall of Fame Committee today. Rich’s contributions to the formality of the annual Hall of Fame ceremony and banquet are evident each year and will continue to serve as event standards for years to come.